CN117280262A

CN117280262A - Fusion splicer and method of connecting optical fibers

Info

Publication number: CN117280262A
Application number: CN202280033790.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 佐藤龙一郎
Original assignee: Sumitomo Electric Optifrontier Co Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Electric Optifrontier Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-06-18
Filing date: 2022-06-15
Publication date: 2023-12-22
Also published as: KR20240021786A; WO2022265029A1; JPWO2022265029A1

Abstract

A fusion splicer (1) for fusion-splicing a plurality of optical fibers (3L) arranged in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction with other optical fibers (3R), the fusion splicer (1) comprising: a base member (11L) having a groove portion (17L) in which a plurality of V-grooves for arranging a plurality of optical fibers (3L) are formed; and a pair of guide walls (12 FL, 12 BL) for guiding the plurality of optical fibers (3L) to the arrangement of the plurality of V-grooves, wherein the pair of guide walls (12 FL, 12 BL) are arranged at intervals in the width direction of the groove portion (17L), one guide wall (12 FL) of the pair of guide walls has a guide surface (GF 1) capable of being in contact with one optical fiber (3L), the other guide wall (12 BL) of the pair of guide walls has a guide surface (GF 2) capable of being in contact with the other optical fiber (3L), and the guide surfaces (GF 1, GF 2) include portions that are inclined toward the groove portion (17L) when viewed along the extending direction of the plurality of V-grooves.

Description

Fusion splicer and method of connecting optical fibers

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to fusion splicers and methods of connecting optical fibers.

The present application claims priority based on japanese application No. 2021-101985 filed on 18, 6, 2021, and incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Background

Conventionally, a fusion splicer is known in which a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a width direction, which is a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction, are fusion-spliced (see patent literature 1). The fusion splicer is provided with an optical fiber installation table, wherein the optical fiber installation table is provided with a groove part formed with a plurality of V grooves for installing a plurality of optical fibers.

The coating material of the tip portion is removed during fusion-splicing of the plurality of optical fibers. The portion of the optical fiber from which the coating material is removed and the glass fiber is exposed is referred to as a bare fiber portion, and the portion in a state of being coated with the coating material is referred to as an optical fiber wire or an optical fiber core wire. The plurality of optical fibers are easily expanded in the width direction at the bare fiber portion not covered with the covering material.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2003-21744

Disclosure of Invention

The fusion splicer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a fusion splicer for fusion-splicing a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction with other optical fibers, respectively, and includes: a base member having a groove portion formed with a plurality of V grooves in which the plurality of optical fibers are disposed; and a pair of guide walls that guide the plurality of optical fibers toward the arrangement of the plurality of V-grooves, the pair of guide walls being arranged at intervals in a width direction of the groove portion, one guide wall of the pair of guide walls having a guide surface that can be brought into contact with one optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers, the other guide wall of the pair of guide walls having a guide surface that can be brought into contact with the other optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers, the guide surface including a portion that is inclined toward the groove portion when viewed along an extending direction of the plurality of V-grooves.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a fusion splicer and an optical fiber to be connected.

Fig. 2A is a top view of a portion of a fusion machine.

Fig. 2B is a plan view of a portion of the fusion splicer and the optical fibers to be connected in the setting step.

Fig. 2C is a plan view of a portion of the fusion splicer and the optical fibers to be connected.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a fusion splicer and an optical fiber to be connected.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system for controlling the fusion splicer.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an optical fiber and a base member.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber and a base member.

Fig. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the right base member.

Fig. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the right base member.

Fig. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the right base member.

Fig. 10A is a top view of one example of the right base member.

Fig. 10B is a top view of another example of a right base member.

Fig. 10C is a top view of another example of a right base member.

Fig. 10D is a top view of another example of a right base member.

Fig. 10E is a top view of another example of a right base member.

Fig. 10F is a top view of another example of a right base member.

Fig. 10G is a top view of another example of a right base member.

Fig. 10H is a top view of another example of the right base member.

Fig. 10I is a top view of another example of a right base member.

Detailed Description

[ problem to be solved by the present disclosure ]

The groove portion of the optical fiber installation table is configured such that a plurality of V grooves in which bare optical fiber portions of a plurality of optical fibers, that is, glass fibers are installed are parallel to each other. Therefore, the orientation of the outermost glass fiber among the plurality of glass fibers extending in the width direction may deviate from the orientation of the corresponding V-groove. Further, several bare fiber portions of the plurality of optical fibers extending in the width direction are not properly accommodated in the corresponding V-grooves, and may protrude from the corresponding V-grooves.

Therefore, it is desirable to suppress the bare fiber portion of the optical fiber from protruding from the V-groove.

[ Effect of the present disclosure ]

According to the present disclosure, the bare fiber portion of the optical fiber can be suppressed from protruding from the V-groove.

[ description of embodiments of the present disclosure ]

First, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the same description is not repeated.

(1) A fusion splicer according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a fusion splicer for fusion-splicing a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction with other optical fibers, respectively, comprising: a base member having a plurality of V-grooves in which the plurality of optical fibers are formed; and a pair of guide walls that guide the plurality of optical fibers toward the arrangement of the plurality of V-grooves, the pair of guide walls being arranged at intervals in a width direction of the groove portion, one guide wall of the pair of guide walls having a guide surface that can be brought into contact with one optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers, the other guide wall of the pair of guide walls having a guide surface that can be brought into contact with the other optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers, the guide surface including a portion that is inclined toward the groove portion when viewed along an extending direction of the plurality of V-grooves. This structure has a pair of guide walls, and thus, when the bare fiber portions of the plurality of optical fibers are provided in the plurality of V grooves, the expansion of the bare fiber portions in the width direction can be reduced. This is because the bare fiber portion that expands outward in the width direction is pushed back inward in the width direction by coming into contact with the guide surface of the guide wall when approaching the V groove. As a result, this configuration brings about the following effects: when the bare fiber portions of the plurality of optical fibers are provided in the plurality of V grooves, the bare fiber portions can be suppressed from protruding from the V grooves.

(2) The guide surface may be configured to be continuous with one groove surface of the plurality of V grooves when viewed along the extending direction of the plurality of V grooves. The fact that the guide surface is continuous with the groove surface means that, for example, the inclination angle of the guide surface is equal to the inclination angle of the groove surface at a portion where the guide surface is connected to the groove surface when viewed in the extending direction of the V-groove. It should be noted that the guide surface and the groove surface do not need to be physically connected. This is because the guide surface and the groove surface are sometimes arranged at a distance from each other in the extending direction of the V groove. The inclination angle of the guide surface is an angle formed between the guide surface and the virtual vertical surface, and the inclination angle of the groove surface is an angle formed between the groove surface and the virtual vertical surface. The inclination angle of the guide surface being equal to the inclination angle of the groove surface may be equal to or less than a predetermined minute angle. This configuration brings about the following effects: for example, the bare fiber portion moving along the guide surface while being pressed back by the guide surface is liable to enter into the V groove.

(3) The pair of guide walls may be formed as a member different from the base member. This configuration brings about the following effects: the guide wall can be attached to an existing fusion machine without removing or replacing the existing base member from the existing fusion machine. In this configuration, the guide wall and the base member can be formed of different materials. Therefore, this configuration brings about the following effects: for example, compared with the case where the guide wall and the base member are integrally formed of the same material and the material of the base member is expensive, the manufacturing cost of the fusion splicer can be reduced.

(4) The pair of guide walls may be integrated with the base member. This configuration brings about the following effects: for example, the positioning accuracy of the guide wall with respect to the V groove can be improved as compared with the case where the guide wall is formed as a member different from the base member.

(5) At least one of the pair of guide walls may be configured to be movable relative to the groove portion in the width direction. This configuration brings about the following effects: for example, the guide wall can handle a variety of core numbers of optical fibers. For example, this configuration brings about the following effects: the correction of the expansion in the width direction of the ribbon (for example, 16-core ribbon or 8-core ribbon) with the smaller number of cores by the guide wall configured to correct the expansion in the width direction of the bare optical fiber portion of the 24-core ribbon can be achieved.

(6) In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for connecting optical fibers includes welding a plurality of optical fibers to other optical fibers, respectively, using a fusion splicer, the fusion splicer comprising: a base member having a groove portion formed with a plurality of V grooves in which a plurality of optical fibers are disposed; and a pair of guide walls for guiding the plurality of optical fibers to the plurality of V-grooves, wherein the optical fiber connection method includes: placing the plurality of optical fibers in the plurality of V-grooves while bringing one of the plurality of optical fibers into contact with one guide surface of the pair of guide walls disposed at an interval in the width direction of the groove portion; and welding the plurality of optical fibers with other optical fibers respectively. The method includes a step of arranging the plurality of optical fibers in the plurality of V-grooves while bringing one of the plurality of optical fibers into contact with one guide surface of the pair of guide walls, whereby, when the bare fiber portions of the plurality of optical fibers are arranged in the plurality of V-grooves, the expansion of the bare fiber portions in the width direction can be reduced. This is because the bare fiber portion that expands outward in the width direction is pushed back inward in the width direction by coming into contact with the guide surface of the guide wall when approaching the V groove. As a result, the method brings about the following effects: when the bare fiber portions of the plurality of optical fibers are provided in the plurality of V grooves, the bare fiber portions can be suppressed from protruding from the V grooves.

[ details of embodiments of the present disclosure ]

Specific examples of the fusion splicer 1 and the optical fiber connection method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of a fusion splicer 1. In fig. 1, X1 represents one direction of an X axis constituting a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, and X2 represents the other direction of the X axis. Further, Y1 represents one direction of the Y axis constituting the three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, and Y2 represents the other direction of the Y axis. Similarly, Z1 represents one direction of the Z axis constituting the three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, and Z2 represents the other direction of the Z axis. In the present embodiment, the X1 side of the fusion splicer 1 corresponds to the front side (front side) of the fusion splicer 1, and the X2 side of the fusion splicer 1 corresponds to the rear side (rear side) of the fusion splicer 1. The Y1 side of the fusion splicer 1 corresponds to the left side of the fusion splicer 1, and the Y2 side of the fusion splicer 1 corresponds to the right side of the fusion splicer 1. The Z1 side of the welding machine 1 corresponds to the upper side of the welding machine 1, and the Z2 side of the welding machine 1 corresponds to the lower side of the welding machine 1. The same applies to the other figures.

The fusion splicer 1 is a device configured to be able to fuse a plurality of pairs of optical fibers having end surfaces arranged in butt-joint with each other by arc discharge. In the illustrated example, the fusion splicer 1 is configured to splice four optical fiber pairs. Specifically, the fusion splicer 1 includes a pair of electrode rods 5 (rear electrode rod 5B and front electrode rod 5F), a pair of base members 11 (left base member 11L and right base member 11R), a pair of clamps 21 (left clamp 21L and right clamp 21R), and a pair of fiber holders 31 (left fiber holder 31L and right fiber holder 31R).

The pair of electrode bars 5 includes a rear electrode bar 5B and a front electrode bar 5F arranged apart from each other in the X-axis direction. The pair of electrode bars 5 are arranged such that the tip 5Ba of the rear electrode bar 5B and the tip 5Fa of the front electrode bar 5F are opposed to each other. In the illustrated example, the rear electrode rod 5B includes a substantially conical portion whose diameter becomes smaller toward the tip 5 Ba. The same applies to the front electrode rod 5F.

The plurality of pairs of optical fibers disposed on the pair of base members 11 are glass fibers, and are disposed between the rear electrode rod 5B and the front electrode rod 5F for generating arc discharge. The portion of the plurality of pairs of optical fibers disposed above the pair of base members 11 is a bare optical fiber portion from which the coating material is removed and the glass is exposed.

Specifically, the plurality of pairs of bare fiber portions includes a bare fiber portion of the left optical fiber group 3L constituting the left ribbon wire 4L and a bare fiber portion of the right optical fiber group 3R constituting the right ribbon wire 4R. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the left optical fiber group 3L and the right optical fiber group 3R are sometimes referred to as an optical fiber group 3.

The ribbon is formed by arranging a plurality of optical fibers (optical fiber wires) in parallel, and coating the plurality of optical fibers with an ultraviolet curable resin (coating material), for example. The left and right core wires 4L and 4R of the illustrated example are each a four-core wire formed by arranging four optical fibers (optical fiber wires) in parallel and collectively coating the four optical fibers with an ultraviolet curable resin (coating material).

The pair of base members 11 are members for supporting a plurality of pairs of optical fibers, and include a left base member 11L and a right base member 11R disposed so as to sandwich the pair of electrode rods 5. That is, the pair of electrode bars 5 are disposed between the left base member 11L and the right base member 11R, which are disposed apart from each other in the Y-axis direction. The right base member 11R of the illustrated example has a right V-groove group 17R also referred to as a right optical fiber arrangement portion or a right groove portion, and the left base member 11L has a left V-groove group 17L also referred to as a left optical fiber arrangement portion or a left groove portion. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the left V-groove group 17L and the right V-groove group 17R are sometimes referred to as V-groove group 17.

The left V-groove group 17L has a plurality of V-grooves for disposing a plurality of optical fibers (left optical fiber group 3L), and the right V-groove group 17R has a plurality of V-grooves for disposing a plurality of optical fibers (right optical fiber group 3R). In the illustrated example, the left V-groove group 17L has four V-grooves for configuring four optical fibers. The four V grooves are arranged at equal intervals in the X-axis direction and are formed to extend linearly in the Y-axis direction. Likewise, the right V-groove group 17R has four V-grooves for configuring four optical fibers. The four V grooves are arranged at equal intervals in the X-axis direction and are formed to extend linearly in the Y-axis direction.

The plurality of V-grooves in the right V-groove group 17R and the plurality of V-grooves in the left V-groove group 17L are configured to perform positioning of a plurality of optical fiber pairs simultaneously. In the illustrated example, four V grooves in the right V groove group 17R and four V grooves in the left V groove group 17L are arranged so as to face each other in the extending direction (Y-axis direction), and are configured to simultaneously perform positioning of four optical fiber pairs.

Thereby, the four optical fibers positioned by the four V-grooves in the right V-groove group 17R and the four optical fibers positioned by the four V-grooves in the left V-groove group 17L are butted against each other in the region between the right base member 11R (right V-groove group 17R) and the left base member 11L (left V-groove group 17L).

Here, details of V-groove group 17 in which four optical fiber pairs are positioned will be described with reference to fig. 2A to 2C. Fig. 2A to 2C are plan views showing a part of the fusion machine 1. Specifically, fig. 2A to 2C are plan views of the electrode rod 5, the base member 11, and the guide wall 12. More specifically, fig. 2A shows a state before the optical fiber group 3 is placed above the V-groove group 17, fig. 2B shows a state when the optical fiber group 3 is placed above the V-groove group 17 (a state before the optical fiber group 3 is placed in the V-groove group 17), and fig. 2C shows a state after the optical fiber group 3 is placed in the V-groove group 17. In fig. 2A to 2C, a thick dot pattern is added to the groove surface of V-groove group 17, and a thin dot pattern is added to guide surface GF (described later) of guide wall 12 for clarity. The bottom of each V-groove is indicated by a broken line.

As shown in fig. 2A, the left V-groove group 17L includes a first left V-groove 17AL, a second left V-groove 17BL, a third left V-groove 17CL, and a fourth left V-groove 17DL, and the right V-groove group 17R includes a first right V-groove 17AR, a second right V-groove 17BR, a third right V-groove 17CR, and a fourth right V-groove 17DR. The first left V groove 17AL and the first right V groove 17AR form a first V groove pair 17A, the second left V groove 17BL and the second right V groove 17BR form a second V groove pair 17B, the third left V groove 17CL and the third right V groove 17CR form a third V groove pair 17C, and the fourth left V groove 17DL and the fourth right V groove 17DR form a fourth V groove pair 17D.

Further, as shown in fig. 2B, the left optical fiber group 3L includes a first left optical fiber 3AL, a second left optical fiber 3BL, a third left optical fiber 3CL, and a fourth left optical fiber 3DL as a bare fiber portion, and the right optical fiber group 3R includes a first right optical fiber 3AR, a second right optical fiber 3BR, a third right optical fiber 3CR, and a fourth right optical fiber 3DR as a bare fiber portion. The first left optical fiber 3AL and the first right optical fiber 3AR constitute a first optical fiber pair 3A, the second left optical fiber 3BL and the second right optical fiber 3BR constitute a second optical fiber pair 3B, the third left optical fiber 3CL and the third right optical fiber 3CR constitute a third optical fiber pair 3C, and the fourth left optical fiber 3DL and the fourth right optical fiber 3DR constitute a fourth optical fiber pair 3D.

The guide wall 12 is configured to guide the installation of the optical fiber group 3 into the V-groove group 17. In the illustrated example, as shown in fig. 2A, the guide wall 12 includes a left guide wall 12L and a right guide wall 12R. The left guide wall 12L includes a left rear guide wall 12BL and a left front guide wall 12FL, and the right guide wall 12R includes a right rear guide wall 12BR and a right front guide wall 12FR.

Specifically, the guide wall 12 includes: a left guide wall 12L for guiding the arrangement of the left optical fiber group 3L to the left V-groove group 17L; and a right guide wall 12R that guides the arrangement of the right optical fiber group 3R to the right V-groove group 17R.

The left guide wall 12L includes a left rear guide wall 12BL and a left front guide wall 12FL formed at positions corresponding to the left end portions of the left V-groove group 17L located on the side close to the left optical fiber holder 31L. Likewise, the right guide wall 12R includes a right rear guide wall 12BR and a right front guide wall 12FR formed at positions corresponding to right end portions of the right V-groove group 17R located on the side close to the right optical fiber holder 31R.

Further, the guide wall 12 has a guide surface GF. In fig. 2A to 2C, a fine dot pattern is added to the guide surface GF for clarity. Specifically, as shown in fig. 2B, the left front guide wall 12FL has a first guide surface GF1 that contacts a first left optical fiber 3AL located on the forefront side (X1 side) of the left optical fiber group 3L, and the left rear guide wall 12BL has a second guide surface GF2 that contacts a fourth left optical fiber 3DL located on the rearmost side (X2 side) of the left optical fiber group 3L. Similarly, the right front guide wall 12FR has a third guide surface GF3 that contacts the first right optical fiber 3AR located on the forefront side (X1 side) in the right optical fiber group 3R, and the right rear guide wall 12BR has a fourth guide surface GF4 that contacts the fourth right optical fiber 3DR located on the rearmost side (X2 side) in the right optical fiber group 3R.

In the illustrated example, the first guide surface GF1 of the left front guide wall 12FL is formed to be continuous from the first left V groove 17AL located at the forefront side in the left V groove group 17L, and the second guide surface GF2 of the left rear guide wall 12BL is formed to be continuous from the fourth left V groove 17DL located at the rearmost side in the left V groove group 17L. Similarly, the third guide surface GF3 of the right front guide wall 12FR is formed continuously from the first right V groove 17AR located at the forefront side in the right V groove group 17R, and the fourth guide surface GF4 of the right rear guide wall 12BR is formed continuously from the fourth right V groove 17DR located at the rearmost side in the right V groove group 17R.

The operation of providing the optical fiber group 3 to the V-groove group 17 will be described. The following description relates to the operation of providing the left optical fiber group 3L to the left V-groove group 17L, but the same applies to the operation of providing the right optical fiber group 3R to the right V-groove group 17R.

When the left optical fiber group 3L is provided to the left V-groove group 17L, the operator places the left optical fiber group 3L extending in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the left ribbon 4L directly above the left V-groove group 17L as shown in fig. 2B. Thereafter, the operator moves the left optical fiber group 3L downward (the direction in which the left V-groove group 17L is located).

When the left optical fiber group 3L is moved downward (in the direction in which the left V-groove group 17L is located), a first left optical fiber 3AL located on the forefront side (X1 side) of the left optical fiber group 3L contacts the first guide surface GF1 of the left front guide wall 12FL, and a fourth left optical fiber 3DL located on the rearmost side (X2 side) of the left optical fiber group 3L contacts the second guide surface GF2 of the left rear guide wall 12 BL.

Then, the first left optical fiber 3AL located at the forefront of the four optical fibers constituting the left optical fiber group 3L is guided by the first guide surface GF1 of the left front guide wall 12FL inclined toward the first left V groove 17AL, and moves rearward (X2 direction) as indicated by an arrow AR1 in fig. 2B as moving downward (Z2 direction). That is, the first guide surface GF1 of the front left guide wall 12FL can move the first left optical fiber 3AL that expands in the width direction (front direction (X1 direction)) rearward (X2 direction) so that the first left optical fiber 3AL moves downward (Z2 direction) closer to the center of the left ribbon wire 4L in the width direction. In other words, the first guide surface GF1 can return the first left optical fiber 3AL bent in the width direction (front direction (X1 direction)) to a straight state so that the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the first left optical fiber 3AL coincides with the extending direction of the first left V groove 17 AL.

In the example shown in fig. 2B, the second left optical fiber 3BL extends straight along the second left V groove 17BL, but may be expanded in the width direction (front (X1 direction)) like the first left optical fiber 3AL, that is, may be bent in the width direction (front (X1 direction)).

In this case, the second left optical fiber 3BL is pushed by the first left optical fiber 3AL that moves rearward by the left front guide wall 12FL, and moves rearward. As a result, the second left optical fiber 3BL is in a state of extending straight along the second left V groove 17 BL.

Similarly, the fourth left optical fiber 3DL positioned at the rearmost of the four optical fibers constituting the left optical fiber group 3L is guided by the second guide surface GF2 of the left rear guide wall 12BL inclined toward the fourth left V groove 17DL, and moves forward (X1 direction) as shown by arrow AR2 in fig. 2B as moving downward (Z2 direction). That is, the second guide surface GF2 of the left rear guide wall 12BL can move the fourth left optical fiber 3DL that expands in the width direction (rear direction (X2 direction)) forward (X1 direction) so that the closer the fourth left optical fiber 3DL moves downward (Z2 direction) the closer to the center of the left ribbon wire 4L in the width direction. In other words, the second guide surface GF2 can return the fourth left optical fiber 3DL bent in the width direction (rear direction (X2 direction)) to a straight state so that the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the fourth left optical fiber 3DL coincides with the extending direction of the fourth left V groove 17 DL.

In the example shown in fig. 2B, the third left optical fiber 3CL extends straight along the third left V groove 17CL, but may be expanded in the width direction (backward (X2 direction)) like the fourth left optical fiber 3DL, that is, may be bent in the width direction (backward (X2 direction)).

In this case, the third left optical fiber 3CL is pushed by the fourth left optical fiber 3DL that moves forward by the left rear guide wall 12BL, and moves forward. As a result, the third left optical fiber 3CL is in a state of extending straight along the third left V groove 17 CL.

After that, as shown in fig. 2C, when the left optical fiber group 3L moves downward to the extent of contact with the left V-groove group 17L, the expansion in the width direction is reduced by the left rear guide wall 12BL and the left front guide wall 12 FL. That is, the expansion in the width direction of the left optical fiber group 3L is reduced so that the axes of the first to fourth left optical fibers 3AL to 3DL are parallel to each other. As a result, the first left optical fiber 3AL is disposed in the first left V groove 17AL in a state where the longitudinal direction thereof is parallel to the extending direction of the first left V groove 17 AL. The same applies to the second to fourth left optical fibers 3BL to 3 DL.

Next, the operation of the pair of clamps 21 (left clamp 21L and right clamp 21R) will be described with reference to fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the fusion splicer 1. Specifically, fig. 3 is a view when a cross section including a cut line III-III in fig. 2C is viewed from the X1 side as indicated by an arrow. The cross section in fig. 2C includes a cross section of the base member 11.

The left clamp 21L is configured to be capable of relatively pressing the left optical fiber group 3L provided in the left V-groove group 17L against the left V-groove group 17L. Similarly, the right clamp 21R is configured to be capable of relatively pressing the right optical fiber group 3R provided in the right V-groove group 17R against the right V-groove group 17R. In the illustrated example, the left clamp 21L includes a left arm portion 21La and a left pressing portion 21Lb, and the right clamp 21R includes a right arm portion 21Ra and a right pressing portion 21Rb. The left arm portion 21La is disposed above the left V-groove group 17L, and the right arm portion 21Ra is disposed above the right V-groove group 17R. Further, the left arm portion 21La and the right arm portion 21Ra are configured to be movable in the up-down direction. For example, the left arm portion 21La and the right arm portion 21Ra may have a substantially rectangular columnar outer shape as shown in fig. 1. The left pressing portion 21Lb may be attached to the lower end of the left arm portion 21La, and the right pressing portion 21Rb may be attached to the lower end of the right arm portion 21 Ra. In the illustrated example, the left pressing portion 21Lb is movable in the up-down direction (Z direction) at the lower end of the left arm portion 21La, and the right pressing portion 21Rb is movable in the up-down direction (Z direction) at the lower end of the right arm portion 21 Ra. In the state shown in fig. 3, the left pressing portion 21Lb is separated from the left optical fiber group 3L provided in the left V-groove group 17L, but the left pressing portion 21Lb can contact the left optical fiber group 3L by the left arm portion 21La moving downward, and presses the left optical fiber group 3L toward the left V-groove group 17L. The same applies to the right pressing portion 21Rb.

In the illustrated example, the left clamp 21L may be configured to change the clamping pressure. The clamping pressure is a pressure applied to the left optical fiber group 3L provided in the left V-groove group 17L from the left pressing portion 21Lb of the left clamp 21L. An elastic body such as a spring that urges the left pressing portion 21Lb downward may be disposed between the left arm portion 21La and the left pressing portion 21 Lb. In this case, the left clamp 21L can control the clamp pressure by controlling the position of the left arm 21La in the up-down direction. The same applies to the right clamp 21R.

Further, as shown in fig. 1, the left fiber holder 31L is configured to hold the left fiber group 3L, and the right fiber holder 31R is configured to hold the right fiber group 3R. Specifically, the left optical fiber holder 31L is configured to hold the left ribbon wire 4L including the left optical fiber group 3L, and the right optical fiber holder 31R is configured to hold the right ribbon wire 4R including the right optical fiber group 3R. More specifically, the left optical fiber holder 31L has: the left optical fiber holder body 31La having a recess (not shown) for accommodating the left ribbon 4L; and a left lid 31Lb mounted on the left fiber holder body 31La. Similarly, the right optical fiber holder 31R has: the right optical fiber holder body 31Ra has a recess (not shown) for accommodating the right ribbon wire 4R; and a right cover 31Rb mounted on the right fiber holder body 31Ra.

In a state where the left core wire 4L is accommodated in the left optical fiber holder main body 31La, the left lid 31Lb is closed, whereby the left core wire 4L is held by the left optical fiber holder 31L. The left fiber holder 31L is movable in a direction along the axial direction of the held left fiber group 3L. That is, the left fiber holder 31L is movable in the extending direction (Y-axis direction) of the left V-groove group 17L. In the case where the left fiber holder 31L holding the left fiber group 3L is moved, the held left fiber group 3L can be moved along the left V-groove group 17L.

Similarly, in a state where the right core wire 4R is accommodated in the right optical fiber holder main body 31Ra, the right lid 31Rb is closed, whereby the right core wire 4R is held by the right optical fiber holder 31R. The right optical fiber holder 31R is movable in a direction along the axial direction of the held right optical fiber group 3R. That is, the right optical fiber holder 31R is movable in the extending direction (Y-axis direction) of the right V-groove group 17R. In the case where the right fiber holder 31R holding the right fiber group 3R is moved, the held right fiber group 3R can be moved along the right V-groove group 17R.

Next, a control system for controlling the fusion splicer 1 will be described with reference to fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system for controlling the fusion machine 1.

As shown in fig. 4, the fusion splicer 1 includes a photographing device 51, a fusion device 52, a clamp driving device 53, an optical fiber holder driving device 54, a display device 55, and a control device 60. In the present embodiment, the photographing device 51, the fusing device 52, the clamp driving device 53, the optical fiber holder driving device 54, and the display device 55 are controlled by the control device 60.

The control device 60 is a computer including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit: central processing unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory: random access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a communication module, an external storage device, and the like.

The imaging device 51 is configured to include a pair of cameras (an X camera and a Y camera), for example. The X camera and the Y camera are each configured to be able to simultaneously photograph the end of the left optical fiber group 3L provided to the left V-groove group 17L and the end of the right optical fiber group 3R provided to the right V-groove group 17R. Further, the imaging direction of the X camera and the imaging direction of the Y camera are orthogonal to each other. The control device 60 can determine the position of the optical fiber group 3 based on images of the optical fiber group 3 taken by a pair of cameras from two directions different from each other.

The fusion device 52 is a device for fusion-jointing the end of the left optical fiber group 3L and the end of the right optical fiber group 3R. In the present embodiment, a pair of electrode rods 5 is included in the fusion device 52.

The clamp driving device 53 is a device for relatively pushing the optical fiber group 3 to the V-groove group 17. In the present embodiment, the clamp driving device 53 includes an actuator that moves the left arm portion 21La constituting the left clamp 21L and the right arm portion 21Ra constituting the right clamp 21R in the up-down direction, respectively.

The optical fiber holder driving device 54 is a device for moving the optical fiber group 3 in a direction along the axis direction (Y-axis direction). In the present embodiment, the optical fiber holder driving device 54 includes an actuator that moves the left optical fiber holder 31L in a direction along the axial direction (Y-axis direction) of the left optical fiber group 3L and an actuator that moves the right optical fiber holder 31R in a direction along the axial direction (Y-axis direction) of the right optical fiber group 3R.

The display device 55 is a device for displaying various information. In the present embodiment, the display device 55 is configured to display an image captured by the imaging device 51. In the present embodiment, the display device 55 is a liquid crystal display.

The control device 60 is a device for controlling the photographing device 51, the fusing device 52, the clamp driving device 53, the optical fiber holder driving device 54, and the display device 55, respectively. In the present embodiment, the control device 60 controls the imaging device 51 to acquire an image imaged by the imaging device 51. The control device 60 can display the acquired image on the display device 55, for example. Further, the control device 60 can determine the state of one or more pairs of optical fibers by performing image processing on the acquired image. Further, the control device 60 can generate arc discharge between the rear electrode rod 5B and the front electrode rod 5F by controlling the fusing device 52. Further, the control device 60 can move the left arm portion 21La of the left clamp 21L and the right arm portion 21Ra of the right clamp 21R in the up-down direction by controlling the clamp driving device 53. The left clamp 21L can change the pressing state of the left optical fiber group 3L arranged in the left V-groove group 17L, and the right clamp 21R can change the pressing state of the right optical fiber group 3R arranged in the right V-groove group 17R, under the control of the control device 60. Further, the control device 60 can control the positions of the left and right optical fiber holders 31L, 31R in the Y-axis direction by controlling the optical fiber holder driving device 54. Specifically, the control device 60 can move the left optical fiber group 3L held by the left optical fiber holder 31L in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) by moving the left optical fiber holder 31L in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), and can move the right optical fiber group 3R held by the right optical fiber holder 31R in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) by moving the right optical fiber holder 31R in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction).

Next, details of the guide wall 12 will be described with reference to fig. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 is a top perspective view of the base member 11 having V-groove groups 17 in which optical fibers of the 16-core cords can be provided. Fig. 6 is a view when the cross section including the cutting lines VI-VI in fig. 5 is viewed from the Y2 side as indicated by an arrow. The cross section in fig. 5 includes a cross section of the right base member 11R in which 16V grooves (first right V groove 17R1 to sixteenth right V groove 17R 16) are formed and a cross section of each of bare fiber portions (first right optical fiber 3R1 to sixteenth right optical fiber 3R 16) of 16 optical fibers constituting the 16-core right ribbon wire 4R.

In recent years, not only 16-core cords as shown in fig. 5 have been put into practical use, but also super-multi-core cords and intermittent cords (pliability) having a larger number of optical fibers have been put into practical use. As a feature of these ribbon wires, a bare fiber portion after the coating material is removed is more easily expanded in the width direction (X-axis direction) than the 4-core ribbon wire shown in fig. 1. In the case of the super-multicore ribbon, it is considered that one of the reasons for this is that the coating edge is broken when the coating material is removed, and the distance between adjacent optical fibers is widened little by little. In addition, in an intermittent core wire in which 2 or 4 optical fibers (optical fiber wires) are gently engaged in pairs to form a core wire, it is considered that one of the reasons for this is that when the intermittent core wire is set in an optical fiber holder, these optical fibers are likely to face in various directions, and as a result, are likely to face toward the outside of a tape where no shielding is present.

Therefore, in the example shown in fig. 5 and 6, the bare fiber portion of the 16 optical fibers constituting the 16-core ribbon is also more likely to expand in the width direction (X-axis direction) than the bare fiber portion of the 4 optical fibers constituting the 4-core ribbon shown in fig. 1.

Further, as shown in fig. 5 and 6, in the case where the bare fiber portion extending in the width direction is provided in the V-groove group 17 engraved on the flat surface, the orientation of the outermost core of the ribbon is not limited in the configuration excluding the guide wall 12. The term "orientation of the outermost core of the ribbon" refers to an orientation of a bare fiber portion of an outermost optical fiber in the width direction among a plurality of optical fibers constituting the ribbon. In the example shown in fig. 5 and 6, the orientation of the outermost core of the right ribbon wire 4R refers to the orientation of the first right optical fiber 3R1 and the orientation of the sixteenth right optical fiber 3R 16.

Therefore, in a configuration not including the guide wall 12, the deviation between the orientation of the V-groove group 17 processed to be straight and the orientation of the outermost core of the ribbon wire becomes large, and as a result, a situation may occur in which the optical fiber group 3 is not housed in the V-groove group 17 and the optical fiber group 3 protrudes from the V-groove group 17. Such conditions can lead to failure and rework of the weld. In addition, in the reworking of the welding, the reworking of the cutting operation of the cored wire, the removing operation of the coating material, and the like is also required, and thus, it takes an excessive time. The guide wall 12 can suppress such a situation from occurring.

The following description with reference to fig. 5 and 6 refers to the right guide wall 12R that contacts the right optical fiber group 3R, but is equally applicable to the left guide wall 12L that contacts the left optical fiber group 3L.

The bare fiber portions (first to sixteenth right optical fibers 3R1 to 3R 16) of the 16 optical fibers constituting the right ribbon fiber 4R are expanded in the width direction (X-axis direction) at a stage disposed above the right V-groove group 17R as shown in fig. 5 and 6, that is, at a stage before contacting the right guide wall 12R.

Fig. 5 and 6 show a state in which the first to sixteenth right optical fibers 3R1 to 3R16 are arranged at a position higher than the height H1 of the right guide wall 12R. The height H1 of the right guide wall 12R is a distance between the upper surface TF1 of the right base member 11R (right optical fiber arrangement portion) and the upper surface TF2 of the right guide wall 12R in the Z-axis direction.

In fig. 6, the movement paths of the right optical fiber groups 3R moving downward from the position of the height H1 are shown by broken-line arrows. In fig. 6, the right optical fiber group 3R moving downward to the position of the height H2 is shown by a one-dot chain line, and the right optical fiber group 3R provided in the right V-groove group 17R is shown by a thick broken line. The height H2 is the height of the right base member 11R (right optical fiber arrangement portion) relative to the upper surface TF1 (see fig. 5).

When the first right optical fiber 3R1 moves downward to the position of the height H2 as shown by the one-dot chain line in fig. 6, it contacts the third guide surface GF3 of the right front guide wall 12 FR. When the first right optical fiber 3R1 moves further downward, it moves inward (in the X2 direction) along the third guide surface GF3, and finally, as shown by the thick broken line in fig. 6, it is disposed in the first right V groove 17R 1. This is because the third guide surface GF3 is formed to be inclined toward the right V-groove group 17R when viewed from the right side (X2 side) along the extending direction (Y-axis direction) of the right V-groove group 17R. That is, this is because the third guide surface GF3 is inclined so as to approach the right V groove group 17R when viewed from the right side, and is formed to be continuous with the first groove surface GS1 of the first right V groove 17R 1.

Similarly, when the sixteenth right optical fiber 3R16 moves downward to the position of the height H2 as shown by the one-dot chain line in fig. 6, it contacts the fourth guide surface GF4 of the right rear guide wall 12 BR. When the sixteenth right optical fiber 3R16 moves further downward, it moves inward (in the X1 direction) along the fourth guide surface GF4, and finally, as shown by the thick broken line in fig. 6, it is disposed in the sixteenth right V groove 17R 16. The fourth guide surface GF4 is inclined so as to approach the right V groove group 17R when viewed from the right side, and is formed to be continuous with the sixteenth groove surface GS16 of the sixteenth right V groove 17R 16.

As shown by the broken-line arrows in fig. 6, the second right optical fiber 3R2 is pressed by the first right optical fiber 3R1 moving inward (X2 direction) along the third guide surface GF3 at a position lower than the height H2, and moves inward (X2 direction). Then, as shown by the thick broken line in fig. 6, the second right optical fiber 3R2 is finally disposed in the second right V-groove 17R 2. As indicated by the broken-line arrow in fig. 6, the third right optical fiber 3R3 is pressed by the second right optical fiber 3R2 at a position lower than the height H2, and moves inward (in the X2 direction), wherein the second right optical fiber 3R2 is pressed by the first right optical fiber 3R1 and moves inward (in the X2 direction). Then, as shown by the thick broken line in fig. 6, the third right optical fiber 3R3 is finally disposed in the third right V-groove 17R 3.

Similarly, as shown by the broken-line arrow in fig. 6, the fifteenth right optical fiber 3R15 is pushed by the sixteenth right optical fiber 3R16 moving inward (in the X1 direction) along the fourth guide surface GF4 at a position lower than the height H2, and moves inward (in the X1 direction). Then, as shown by the thick broken line in fig. 6, the fifteenth right optical fiber 3R15 is finally disposed in the fifteenth right V groove 17R 15. As indicated by the broken-line arrow in fig. 6, the fourteenth right optical fiber 3R14 is pressed by the fifteenth right optical fiber 3R15 at a position lower than the height H2 and moves inward (in the X1 direction), and the fifteenth right optical fiber 3R15 is pressed by the sixteenth right optical fiber 3R16 and moves inward (in the X1 direction). Then, as shown by the thick broken line in fig. 6, the fourteenth right optical fiber 3R14 is finally disposed in the fourteenth right V-groove 17R 14.

In the examples shown in fig. 5 and 6, the fourth to thirteenth right optical fibers 3R4 to 3R13 do not extend in the width direction even at the position of the height H1. Accordingly, the fourth to thirteenth right optical fibers 3R4 to 3R13 are respectively disposed in the fourth to thirteenth right V grooves 17R4 to 17R13, respectively, and move downward without coming into contact with the adjacent optical fibers, as indicated by the broken-line arrows in fig. 6.

With this configuration, even when the bare fiber portions (the first right optical fiber 3R1 to the sixteenth right optical fiber 3R 16) of the right optical fiber group 3R are expanded in the width direction (X-axis direction), the operator can set the bare fiber portions in the right V-groove group 17R so as not to protrude from the right V-groove group 17R.

In addition, in the example shown in fig. 5 and 6, the right guide wall 12R is constructed such that its height H1 is significantly larger than the depth of the right V-groove group 17R. The depth of the right V-groove group 17R is a distance between the upper surface TF1 of the right base member 11R (right optical fiber arrangement portion) and the bottom of the right V-groove group 17R in the Z-axis direction. The right guide wall 12R is configured such that the inclination angle of the third guide surface GF3 is identical to the inclination angle of the first groove surface GS1, and the inclination angle of the fourth guide surface GF4 is identical to the inclination angle of the sixteenth groove surface GS 16. The depth of the right V-groove group 17R and the inclination angle of each groove surface are appropriately determined so that the bare fiber portion protrudes upward from the upper surface TF1 of the right base member 11R when the bare fiber portion of the right optical fiber group 3R is provided in the V-groove.

However, as long as the right guide wall 12R is formed so that the expansion of the bare fiber portion thereof can be collapsed by moving only the right optical fiber group 3R in a state expanded in the width direction (X-axis direction) vertically downward, the height H1 of the right guide wall 12R and the inclination angle of the guide surface GF thereof may be set to arbitrary values. That is, the right guide wall 12R may be formed so that the bare fiber portion can be extended straight, and the height H1 of the right guide wall 12R and the inclination angle of the guide surface GF thereof may be set to any value. For example, the height H1 of the right guide wall 12R may be substantially the same value (slightly larger value) as the depth of the right V groove group 17R. The inclination angle of the guide surface GF is about 25 degrees in the illustrated example, but may be a larger value or a smaller value.

In the illustrated example, the right guide wall 12R is configured to: the interval between the right front guide wall 12FR and the right rear guide wall 12BR becomes the same as the width of the right V-groove group 17R at the same level (height) as the upper surface TF1 of the right base member 11R. In addition, the right guide wall 12R is configured such that the interval is widened upward. However, the right guide wall 12R may be configured as follows: the space between the right front guide wall 12FR and the right rear guide wall 12BR is larger than the width of the right V-groove group 17R at the same level (height) as the upper surface TF1 of the right base member 11R.

In the illustrated example, the guide surface GF is a flat surface, and the extending direction of the normal line thereof is perpendicular to the extending direction (Y-axis direction) of the right V-groove group 17R in a plan view. However, the guide surface GF may be configured such that the extending direction of the normal line thereof obliquely intersects with the extending direction (Y-axis direction) of the right V-groove group 17R in a plan view.

Next, another configuration example of the guide wall 12 will be described with reference to fig. 7 to 9. Fig. 7 to 9 are partial cross-sectional views of the right base member 11R including the right V-groove group 17R, corresponding to fig. 6. The following description with reference to fig. 7 to 9 refers to the right guide wall 12R that cooperates with the right V-groove group 17R, but is equally applicable to the left guide wall 12L that cooperates with the left guide wall 12L (not visible in fig. 7 to 9) that cooperates with the left V-groove group 17L.

The right guide wall 12R shown in fig. 7 is different from the right guide wall 12R shown in fig. 6 in that the third guide surface GF3 and the fourth guide surface GF4 each include a vertical surface (center vertical surface VS), but is otherwise identical to the right guide wall 12R shown in fig. 6. Therefore, the description of the common portions will be omitted below, and the detailed description of the different portions will be made.

In the example shown in fig. 7, the third guide surface GF3 of the right front guide wall 12FR includes an upper inclined surface US, a central vertical surface VS, and a lower inclined surface LS. Both the upper side inclined angle US and the lower side inclined angle LS are formed to be inclined toward the right V-groove group 17R. The same applies to the fourth guide surface GF4 of the right rear guide wall 12 BR.

In the third guide surface GF3, the inclination angle of the upper side inclination surface US is the same as the inclination angle of the lower side inclination surface LS. However, the inclination angle of the upper side inclination US may be different from the inclination angle of the lower side inclination LS. In the present specification, the inclination angle of the upper tilt angle US means an angle formed between the upper tilt angle US and the vertical plane. The same applies to the inclination angle of the downward inclination angle LS.

The larger the tilt angle is, the greater the movement distance of the first right optical fiber 3R1 inward (X2 direction) when the right optical fiber group 3R is moved downward is. This brings about the following effects: the expansion of the first right optical fiber 3R1 in the width direction can be collapsed promptly.

Conversely, the smaller the tilt angle is, the smaller the movement distance of the first right optical fiber 3R1 inward (X2 direction) when the right optical fiber group 3R is moved downward is. This brings about the following effects: the expansion of the right optical fiber group 3R in the width direction can be gently collapsed.

Accordingly, the respective inclination angles of the upper inclination angle US and the lower inclination angle LS can be appropriately set according to the use environment or the like of the fusion machine 1.

In the example shown in fig. 7, the fourth guide surface GF4 of the right rear guide wall 12BR includes the upper inclined surface US, the central vertical surface VS, and the lower inclined surface LS, similarly to the third guide surface GF3 of the right front guide wall 12 FR. Both the upper side inclined angle US and the lower side inclined angle LS are formed to be inclined toward the right V-groove group 17R. Unlike the third guide surface GF3, in the fourth guide surface GF4, the upper-side inclined surface US is formed to have a larger inclination angle than the lower-side inclined surface LS. However, the upper side tilt US may be formed to have a tilt angle smaller than that of the lower side tilt LS, and may be formed to have the same tilt angle as that of the lower side tilt LS.

In the example shown in fig. 7, the shape of the third guide surface GF3 of the right front guide wall 12FR and the shape of the fourth guide surface GF4 of the right rear guide wall 12BR are formed so as to be asymmetric with respect to the YZ plane. However, the shape of the third guide surface GF3 formed as the right front guide wall 12FR and the shape of the fourth guide surface GF4 formed as the right rear guide wall 12BR may be symmetrical with respect to the YZ plane, as in the example shown in fig. 6.

The right guide wall 12R shown in fig. 8 is different from the right guide wall 12R shown in fig. 7 in that the third guide surface GF3 and the fourth guide surface GF4 each include a curved surface (upper curved surface WS) and a horizontal surface (lower horizontal surface HS), but is otherwise identical to the right guide wall 12R shown in fig. 7. Therefore, the description of the common portions will be omitted below, and the detailed description of the different portions will be made.

In the example shown in fig. 8, the third guide surface GF3 of the right front guide wall 12FR includes an upper curved surface WS, a central vertical surface VS, and a lower horizontal surface HS. The upper curved surface WS is formed to be inclined toward the right V-groove group 17R. The same applies to the fourth guide surface GF4 of the right rear guide wall 12 BR. The right guide wall 12R is formed such that the shape of the third guide surface GF3 of the right front guide wall 12FR and the shape of the fourth guide surface GF4 of the right rear guide wall 12BR are symmetrical with respect to the YZ plane. However, the right guide wall 12R may be formed such that the shape of the third guide surface GF3 of the right front guide wall 12FR and the shape of the fourth guide surface GF4 of the right rear guide wall 12BR are asymmetric with respect to the YZ plane.

The upper curved surface WS is formed such that the inclination angle becomes gradually smaller, but may include a portion where the inclination angle becomes gradually larger.

The third guide surface GF3 including the lower horizontal surface HS may be configured so as to be discontinuous with the first groove surface GS1 of the first right V groove 17R1, so as to clearly form a vertical surface or an inclined surface of the third guide surface GF 3.

In this case, the lower horizontal surface HS is formed to have a length (width) in the width direction (X-axis direction) smaller than the diameter of the first right optical fiber 3R 1. This is to avoid that the first right optical fiber 3R1 remains on the lower side horizontal plane HS when the right optical fiber group 3R is set to the right V-groove group 17R. Desirably, the lower horizontal surface HS is formed to have a length (width) in the width direction (X-axis direction) smaller than the radius of the first right optical fiber 3R 1. However, at least one of the center vertical surface VS and the lower horizontal surface HS may be omitted. That is, the third guide surface GF3 may be constituted by only the upper curved surface WS, by a combination of the upper curved surface WS and the central vertical surface VS, or by a combination of the upper curved surface WS and the lower horizontal surface HS.

The right guide wall 12R shown in fig. 9 is different from the right guide wall 12R shown in fig. 6 in that the third guide surface GF3 and the fourth guide surface GF4 each include a multi-stage inclined surface, but is otherwise identical to the right guide wall 12R shown in fig. 6. Therefore, the description of the common portions will be omitted below, and the detailed description of the different portions will be made.

In the example shown in fig. 9, the third guide surface GF3 of the right front guide wall 12FR includes an upper inclined surface US, a center inclined surface MS, and a lower inclined surface LS. The upper inclined surface US, the center inclined surface MS, and the lower inclined surface LS are each formed to be inclined toward the right V-groove group 17R. The same applies to the fourth guide surface GF4 of the right rear guide wall 12 BR. The right guide wall 12R is formed such that the shape of the third guide surface GF3 of the right front guide wall 12FR and the shape of the fourth guide surface GF4 of the right rear guide wall 12BR are symmetrical with respect to the YZ plane. However, the right guide wall 12R may be formed such that the shape of the third guide surface GF3 of the right front guide wall 12FR and the shape of the fourth guide surface GF4 of the right rear guide wall 12BR are asymmetric with respect to the YZ plane.

In the third guide surface GF3, the upper inclined surface US is formed to have an inclination angle larger than that of the center inclined surface MS, and the center inclined surface MS is formed to have an inclination angle larger than that of the lower inclined surface LS. However, the magnitude relation of the inclination angles of the upper inclined surface US, the center inclined surface MS, and the lower inclined surface LS may be arbitrarily set. For example, the upper inclined surface US may be formed to have a smaller inclination angle than the center inclined surface MS, and the center inclined surface MS may be formed to have a smaller inclination angle than the lower inclined surface LS.

Next, another configuration example of the guide wall 12 will be described with reference to fig. 10A to 10I. Fig. 10A to 10I are top views of the right base member 11R including the right V-groove group 17R, respectively. The following description with reference to fig. 10A to 10I refers to the right guide wall 12R that cooperates with the right V-groove group 17R, but is equally applicable to the left guide wall 12L that cooperates with the left guide wall 12L (not visible in fig. 10A to 10I) that cooperates with the left V-groove group 17L.

The right guide wall 12R shown in fig. 10A is different from the right guide wall 12R of fig. 5, which is disposed at the right end (end on the Y2 side) of the right base member 11R in the left-right direction (Y axis direction), in that it is disposed at the center of the right base member 11R in the left-right direction (Y axis direction).

The right guide wall 12R shown in fig. 10B is different from the right guide wall 12R of fig. 5 which is disposed at the right end (Y2-side end) of the right base member 11R in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) in that it is disposed at the left end (Y1-side end) of the right base member 11R in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction).

The right guide wall 12R shown in fig. 10C is different from the right guide wall 12R of fig. 5 which is disposed only at the right end (Y2-side end) of the right base member 11R in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) in that the right guide wall 12R is disposed at the left end and the right end of the right base member 11R in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), respectively.

The right guide wall 12R shown in fig. 10C is different from the right guide wall 12R of fig. 5, which is composed of two parts (the right front guide wall 12FR and the right rear guide wall 12 BR), in that it is composed of four parts (the first right front guide wall 12FR1, the second right front guide wall 12FR2, the first right rear guide wall 12BR1, and the second right rear guide wall 12BR 2).

Further, in the example shown in fig. 10C, the right guide wall 12R may be configured to: the inclination angle of the guide surfaces in the first right front guide wall 12FR1 and the first right rear guide wall 12BR1 is different from the inclination angle of the guide surfaces in the second right front guide wall 12FR2 and the second right rear guide wall 12BR 2. This is because the extent of the spread of the bare fiber portion of the left end portion (end portion on the Y1 side) of the right base member 11R in the width direction is larger than the extent of the spread of the bare fiber portion of the right end portion (end portion on the Y2 side) of the right base member 11R in the width direction. For the same reason, the right guide wall 12R may be configured to: the interval between the guide surface of the first right front guide wall 12FR1 and the guide surface of the first right rear guide wall 12BR1 is smaller than the interval between the guide surface of the second right front guide wall 12FR2 and the guide surface of the second right rear guide wall 12BR2 at the same height.

The right guide wall 12R shown in fig. 10D is different from the right guide wall 12R of fig. 5 in that the right front guide wall 12FR is disposed at the left end portion of the right base member 11R and the right rear guide wall 12BR is disposed at the center portion of the right base member 11R in the right-left direction (Y-axis direction), and the right front guide wall 12FR and the right rear guide wall 12BR are both disposed at the right end portion (Y2-side end portion) of the right base member 11R in the right-left direction (Y-axis direction).

The right guide wall 12R shown in fig. 10D is different from the right guide wall 12R of fig. 5 in that the right front guide wall 12FR and the right rear guide wall 12BR are opposed in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) in that the right front guide wall 12FR and the right rear guide wall 12BR are not opposed in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction).

In the example shown in fig. 10A to 10D, the right guide wall 12R is configured to: the thickness (length in the Y-axis direction) thereof is significantly smaller than the entire length (length in the Y-axis direction) of the right V-groove group 17R. However, the right guide wall 12R may be formed to have an arbitrary thickness. For example, the thickness of the right guide wall 12R may be the same as the entire length of the right V-groove group 17R, or may be about one half or one third of the entire length of the right V-groove group 17R.

The right guide wall 12R shown in each of fig. 10E and 10F is different from the right guide wall 12R of fig. 5 that is arranged adjacent to the right V-groove group 17R in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) in the point that the right guide wall 12R is not adjacent to the right V-groove group 17R in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction).

Specifically, the right guide wall 12R shown in fig. 10E is different from the right guide wall 12R of fig. 5, which is arranged adjacent to the right V-groove group 17R in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), in that it is arranged to protrude rightward (Y2 direction) from the right end portion of the right base member 11R.

Further, the right guide wall 12R shown in fig. 10F is different from the right guide wall 12R of fig. 5 configured to be adjacent to the right V groove group 17R in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) in that it is configured to protrude leftward (Y1 direction) from the left end portion of the right base member 11R.

In this way, the right guide wall 12R need not be formed adjacent to the right V groove group 17R in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), but may be disposed so as to protrude leftward (Y1 direction) from the left end portion of the right base member 11R or so as to protrude rightward (Y2 direction) from the right end portion of the right base member 11R.

The right guide wall 12R shown in each of fig. 10G and 10H is different from the right guide wall 12R of fig. 5 formed as a part of the right base member 11R in that it is formed as a member different from the right base member 11R.

Specifically, the right guide wall 12R shown in fig. 10G is different from the right guide wall 12R of fig. 5 integrally formed as a part of the right base member 11R in that it is disposed separately rightward (Y2 direction) from the right end portion of the right base member 11R.

The right guide wall 12R shown in fig. 10H is different from the right guide wall 12R of fig. 5, which is integrally formed as a part of the right base member 11R, in that it is disposed apart from the left end portion of the right base member 11R to the left (Y1 direction).

In this way, the right guide wall 12R may be disposed at a position away from the right base member 11R. In addition, the right guide wall 12R may also be formed of a different material from the right base member 11R.

In the example shown in fig. 10G, the right base member 11R is formed of a heat-resistant ceramic such as zirconia. This is because the right base member 11R is exposed to a high temperature caused by arc discharge generated by the electrode rod 5. On the other hand, the right guide wall 12R is disposed at a position not exposed to a high temperature caused by arc discharge and at a position not electromagnetically affecting the arc discharge, and is therefore formed of a metal such as stainless steel. The right guide wall 12R may be formed of a synthetic resin material.

The right guide wall 12R shown in fig. 10I is different from the right guide wall 12R of fig. 10E which is formed so as not to be movable in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) in that it is formed so as to be movable in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction).

Fig. 10I shows a state of the right guide wall 12R when the space between the right front guide wall 12FR and the right rear guide wall 12BR is minimum. The graph shown by the broken line in fig. 10I shows the state of the right guide wall 12R when the distance between the right front guide wall 12FR and the right rear guide wall 12BR is maximum. The double-headed arrow in fig. 10I indicates the respective moving directions of the right front guide wall 12FR and the right rear guide wall 12 BR.

This configuration is suitable for use in achieving fusion of a core wire (e.g., a 4-core, 8-core, or 12-core wire) having a smaller number of cores than a core wire of 16 cores with fewer than 16 (e.g., 4, 8, or 12) V-grooves of 16V-grooves.

Specifically, when the operator performs welding of the 4-core wire, the operator moves the right front guide wall 12FR and the right rear guide wall 12BR so that the distance between the right front guide wall 12FR and the right rear guide wall 12BR becomes the same as the width of the 4V grooves. More specifically, the operator moves the right front guide wall 12FR backward (X2 direction) and moves the right rear guide wall 12BR forward (X1 direction). The right guide wall 12R shown by the solid line in fig. 10I is in a state suitable for fusion of the 4-core tape core wire.

When the operator welds the 16-core tape core wire, the operator moves the right front guide wall 12FR and the right rear guide wall 12BR so that the distance between the right front guide wall 12FR and the right rear guide wall 12BR is the same as the width of the 16V grooves. More specifically, the operator moves the right front guide wall 12FR forward (X1 direction) and moves the right rear guide wall 12BR rearward (X2 direction). The right guide wall 12R shown by the broken line in fig. 10I is in a state suitable for fusion of the 16-core tape core wire.

In the example shown in fig. 10I, the right guide wall 12R is configured such that both the right front guide wall 12FR and the right rear guide wall 12BR are movable in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). However, the right guide wall 12R may be configured such that either one of the right front guide wall 12FR and the right rear guide wall 12BR is movable in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). The right guide wall 12R movable in the front-rear direction as shown in fig. 10I can be applied to the configurations shown in fig. 5 to 9 and fig. 10A to 10H, respectively.

As described above, the fusion splicer 1 of the embodiment of the present disclosure is configured as: as shown in fig. 1 and 2A to 2C, a plurality of optical fibers (first to fourth right optical fibers 3AR to 3 DR) arranged along a direction (X-axis direction) intersecting the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) can be fusion-spliced to other optical fibers (first to fourth left optical fibers 3AL to 3 DL), respectively. Specifically, the fusion splicer 1 includes: the right base member 11R having a groove portion (right V groove group 17R) in which a plurality of V grooves (first right V groove 17AR to fourth right V groove 17 DR) in which a plurality of optical fibers (first right optical fiber 3AR to fourth right optical fiber 3 DR) are provided are formed; and a pair of guide walls (a right front guide wall 12FR and a right rear guide wall 12 BR) for guiding the installation of the plurality of optical fibers (the first right optical fiber 3AR to the fourth right optical fiber 3 DR) into the plurality of V-grooves (the first right V-groove 17AR to the fourth right V-groove 17 DR). The pair of guide walls (the right front guide wall 12FR and the right rear guide wall 12 BR) are arranged at intervals in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the right V-groove group 17R. The right front guide wall 12FR has a third guide surface GF3 that can be brought into contact with the first right optical fiber 3AR, which is one of the plurality of optical fibers (first right optical fiber 3AR to fourth right optical fiber 3 DR), and the right rear guide wall 12BR has a fourth guide surface GF4 that can be brought into contact with the fourth right optical fiber 3DR, which is another one of the plurality of optical fibers (first right optical fiber 3AR to fourth right optical fiber 3 DR). The third guide surface GF3 and the fourth guide surface GF4 each include a portion inclined toward the right V groove group 17R when viewed along the extending direction (Y-axis direction) of the plurality of V grooves (the first right V groove 17AR to the fourth right V groove 17 DR), that is, when viewed from the right side surface.

The plurality of optical fibers fusion-spliced by the fusion splicer 1 are bare fiber portions of four optical fibers constituting the 4-core ribbon in the example shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2A to 2C, but may be bare fiber portions of a plurality of optical fibers constituting the intermittent ribbon. The number of core wires of the tape core wire may be 8, 12, 16, 24, or the like. In the examples shown in fig. 5 and 6, the number of core wires of the belt core wire is 16.

In this configuration, the guide wall 12 presses back the bare fiber portion of the optical fiber group 3 that expands outward in the width direction (X-axis direction) as shown in fig. 2B to the inner side in the width direction, and can correct the state in which the bare fiber portion extends straight as shown in fig. 2C. Therefore, this configuration can suppress the bare fiber portion from protruding from the V groove.

Furthermore, the guide surface GF may also be configured to: as shown in fig. 6, the V grooves (first to sixteenth right V grooves 17R1 to 17R 16) are continuous with one groove surface of the V grooves when viewed in the extending direction (Y-axis direction), that is, when viewed from the right side surface as shown in fig. 6. Specifically, as shown in fig. 6, the third guide surface GF3 may be configured to be continuous with the first groove surface GS1 of the first right V groove 17R1, and the fourth guide surface GF4 may be configured to be continuous with the sixteenth groove surface GS16 of the sixteenth right V groove 17R 16.

In this way, in the configuration in which the third guide surface GF3 is continuous with the first groove surface GS1, the right front guide wall 12FR can guide the first right optical fiber 3R1 into the first right V groove 17R1 without disturbing the operation of the first right optical fiber 3R1 moving along the surface of the third guide surface GF 3. Therefore, this configuration can further suppress the bare fiber portion from protruding from the V groove.

The pair of guide walls may be formed as a member different from the base member 11, or may be integrated with the base member 11. For example, the right front guide wall 12FR and the right rear guide wall 12BR, which are a pair of guide walls, may be integrated with the right base member 11R as shown in fig. 10A to 10F, or may be formed as a member different from the right base member 11R as shown in fig. 10G to 10I.

Further, at least one guide wall of the pair of guide walls may be configured to be movable relative to the groove portion so as to be capable of changing the size of the gap in the width direction of the groove portion. For example, the right front guide wall 12FR and the right rear guide wall 12BR as a pair of guide walls may also be configured to: as shown in fig. 10I, the right V-groove group 17R can be moved in the X-axis direction with respect to the right V-groove group 17R so that the size of the interval in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the right V-groove group 17R can be changed.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2A to 2C, the optical fiber connection method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is a method for connecting optical fibers by welding a plurality of optical fibers (first right optical fiber 3AR to fourth right optical fiber 3 DR) to other optical fibers (first left optical fiber 3AL to fourth left optical fiber 3 DL) by using a fusion splicer 1, wherein the fusion splicer 1 includes: the right base member 11R having a groove portion (right V groove group 17R) in which a plurality of V grooves (first right V groove 17AR to fourth right V groove 17 DR) in which a plurality of optical fibers (first right optical fiber 3AR to fourth right optical fiber 3 DR) are provided are formed; and a pair of guide walls (a right front guide wall 12FR and a right rear guide wall 12 BR) for guiding the installation of the plurality of optical fibers (the first right optical fiber 3AR to the fourth right optical fiber 3 DR) into the plurality of V-grooves (the first right V-groove 17AR to the fourth right V-groove 17 DR).

The connection method includes the following steps: the method includes the steps of providing a plurality of optical fibers to a plurality of V-grooves while bringing one of the plurality of optical fibers into contact with one guide surface of a pair of guide walls arranged at intervals in a width direction of the groove portion; and welding the plurality of optical fibers with other optical fibers, respectively.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 2A to 2C, the connection method includes the steps of: the plurality of optical fibers (the first to fourth right optical fibers 3AR to 3 DR) are provided in a plurality of V-grooves (the first to fourth right V-grooves 17AR to 17 DR) while the first right optical fiber 3AR is brought into contact with the third guide surface GF3 of the right front guide wall 12FR or the fourth right optical fiber 3DR is brought into contact with the fourth guide surface GF4 of the right rear guide wall 12 BR; and fusion-jointing the plurality of optical fibers (first right optical fiber 3AR to fourth right optical fiber 3 DR) with other optical fibers (first left optical fiber 3AL to fourth left optical fiber 3 DL) respectively.

In this method, the bare fiber portion of the optical fiber group 3 (the left optical fiber group 3L or the right optical fiber group 3R) extending outward in the width direction (X-axis direction) as shown in fig. 2B is pushed back inward in the width direction, and the bare fiber portion is straightened to a state in which the bare fiber portion is straightly extended as shown in fig. 2C, and then the left optical fiber group 3L and the right optical fiber group 3R are fusion-spliced. Therefore, the method can suppress the bare fiber portion from protruding from the V-groove, and further can suppress failure or rework of fusion splice.

The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above. However, the disclosed embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein. That is, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The above-described embodiments may be applied to various modifications, substitutions, and the like without departing from the scope of the present invention. The features described with reference to the above embodiments can be appropriately combined as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

Reference numerals illustrate:

1: a fusion splicer;

3: an optical fiber group;

3A: a first optical fiber pair;

3AL: a first left optical fiber;

3AR: a first right optical fiber;

3B: a second optical fiber pair;

3BL: a second left optical fiber;

3BR: a second right optical fiber;

3C: a third optical fiber pair;

3CL: a third left optical fiber;

3CR: a third right optical fiber;

3D: a fourth optical fiber pair;

3DL: a fourth left optical fiber;

3DR: a fourth right optical fiber;

3L: a left optical fiber group;

3R: a right optical fiber group;

3R1: a first right optical fiber;

3R2: a second right optical fiber;

3R3: a third right optical fiber;

3R4: a fourth right optical fiber;

3R5: a fifth right optical fiber;

3R6: a sixth right optical fiber;

3R7: a seventh right optical fiber;

3R8: an eighth right optical fiber;

3R9: a ninth right optical fiber;

3R10: a tenth right optical fiber;

3R11: an eleventh right optical fiber;

3R12: a twelfth right optical fiber;

3R13: a thirteenth right optical fiber;

3R14: a fourteenth right optical fiber;

3R15: a fifteenth right optical fiber;

3R16: sixteenth right optical fiber;

4L: a left cored wire;

4R: a right cored wire;

5: an electrode rod;

5B: a rear electrode bar;

5Ba: a top end;

5F: a front electrode bar;

5Fa: a top end;

11: a base member;

11L: a left base member;

11R: a right base member;

12: a guide wall;

12BL: a left rear guide wall;

12BR: a right rear guide wall;

12BR1: a first right rear guide wall;

12BR2: a second right rear guide wall;

12FL: a left front guide wall;

12FR: a right front guide wall;

12FR1: a first right front guide wall;

12FR2: a second right front guide wall;

12L: a left guide wall;

12R: a right guide wall;

17: a V-groove group;

17A: a first pair of V-grooves;

17AL: a first left V-groove;

17AR: a first right V-groove;

17B: a second pair of V-grooves;

17BL: a second left V-groove;

17BR: a second right V-groove;

17C: a third pair of V-grooves;

17CL: a third left V-groove;

17CR: a third right V-groove;

17D: a fourth V-groove pair;

17DL: a fourth left V-groove;

17DR: a fourth right V-groove;

17L: a left V-groove group;

17R: a right V-groove set;

17R1: a first right V-groove;

17R2: a second right V-groove;

17R3: a third right V-groove;

17R4: a fourth right V-groove;

17R5: a fifth right V-groove;

17R6: a sixth right V-groove;

17R7: a seventh right V-groove;

17R8: eighth right V-groove;

17R9: a ninth right V-groove;

17R10: a tenth right V-groove;

17R11: an eleventh right V-groove;

17R12: a twelfth right V-groove;

17R13: thirteenth right V-groove;

17R14: fourteenth right V-groove;

17R15: fifteenth right V-groove;

17R16: sixteenth right V-groove;

21: a clamping member;

21L: a left clamping member;

21La: a left arm section;

21Lb: a left pressing part;

21R: a right clamping member;

21Ra: a right arm section;

21Rb: a right pressing part;

31: an optical fiber holder;

31L: a left fiber holder;

31La: a left fiber holder body;

31Lb: a left cover;

31R: a right fiber holder;

31Ra: a right fiber holder body;

31Rb: a right cover;

51: a photographing device;

52: a fusion device;

53: a clamping member driving device;

54: an optical fiber holder driving device;

55: a display device;

60: a control device;

GF: a guide surface;

GF1: a first guide surface;

GF2: a second guide surface;

GF3: a third guide surface;

GF4: a fourth guide surface;

GS1: a first groove surface;

GS16: sixteenth groove surface;

HS: a lower horizontal plane;

LS: a lower inclined slope;

MS: a central inclined plane;

TF1, TF2: an upper surface;

US: upper inclined slope;

VS: a central vertical plane;

WS: upper curved surface.

Claims

1. A fusion splicer for fusion-splicing a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction with other optical fibers, respectively, the fusion splicer comprising:

a base member having a groove portion formed with a plurality of V grooves in which the plurality of optical fibers are disposed; and

A pair of guide walls for guiding the plurality of optical fibers to the plurality of V-grooves,

the pair of guide walls are arranged at intervals in the width direction of the groove portion,

one of the pair of guide walls has a guide surface capable of contacting one of the plurality of optical fibers,

the other guide wall of the pair of guide walls has a guide surface capable of contacting the other optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers,

the guide surface includes a portion inclined toward the groove portion when viewed along an extending direction of the plurality of V grooves.

2. The fusion splicer according to claim 1, wherein,

the guide surface is configured to be continuous with one groove surface of the plurality of V grooves when viewed along an extending direction of the plurality of V grooves.

3. The fusion splicer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the pair of guide walls are formed as a member different from the base member.

4. The fusion splicer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the pair of guide walls are integrated with the base member.

5. A fusion splicer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein,

at least one guide wall of the pair of guide walls is configured to be relatively movable in a width direction with respect to the groove portion.

6. A method for connecting optical fibers, wherein a plurality of optical fibers are respectively welded with other optical fibers by using a welding machine, wherein the welding machine comprises: a base member having a groove portion formed with a plurality of V grooves in which a plurality of optical fibers are disposed; and a pair of guide walls for guiding the plurality of optical fibers to the plurality of V-grooves, wherein the optical fiber connection method comprises the following steps:

placing the plurality of optical fibers in the plurality of V-grooves while bringing one of the plurality of optical fibers into contact with one guide surface of the pair of guide walls disposed at an interval in the width direction of the groove portion; and

and welding the plurality of optical fibers with other optical fibers respectively.